Chapter 104: Chapter 104

The appearance of the courtroom-like room we were in indicated that something was amiss. While the search hadn’t been publicly announced, some of us could decipher those kinds of things. The twins’ parents had been the first to find out about the closure, thanks to a friend in the witness stand.

One by one, each member of the High Table walked to the elevated platform and took their respective seats. The growing crowd of witnesses sat in rows around the circumference of the room, grouped in their respective packs and families. The number of witnesses had almost doubled overnight, leaving the small area overflowing with people:I.had been pushed and bumped at least thirty different times, although most recoiled once they realized who I was.

David Zoe sat at the very center, as the head of the High Table. His suit was slate gray this time, just a few shades darker than his son’s. Nicolas sat in his own enclosed area, with a minimum of four guards by his side. He looked a bit miserable if I were to be honest, but that was the usual expression on his face

“Welcome to the conclusion of this incredible debate that will impact our world for generations to come. We are constantly making history, with every decision and choice we make. We have debated extensively on this matter, both in these meetings and behind closed doors. The five of us are confident that today will bring us all, including Mrs.

Sussan, the conclusion we need,” David Zoe stood up and greeted the crowd with a sweeping hand gesture. His smile was charming and charismatic, like that of a bachelor rather than a bloodthirsty wolf. “We will pick up where we left off yesterday by calling Sussan to the stand.

Here, she will review the terms of our offers and make denials or demands as she sees fit. Together, we will evaluate her position in our world and determine what course of action will propel us toward a secure future, where our species continues to thrive.”

This time, I rolled my eyes as some of the witnesses began to applaud tearfully. I couldn’t understand how a room full of werewolves couldn’t see the biggest threat in the room.

I approached the podium and waited in silence as a moderator went over the details of each agreement with the members of the High Table. Jason Harper offered me nothing except a slippery smile that made my stomach churn. Andrew Evans claimed that his father hadn’t returned yet, but he had actually contacted him and refused to form any bond with our packs. Sven Ro s winked at me, a gesture so quick that I almost missed it.

– The room fell silent as it was my turn to speak, to either save or condemn myself.

I could save myself by accepting David’s terms, signing away my freedom and will to serve another. One who would take and take until I too was exhausted, devoid of a soul like those I had fed on.

I had planned what I wanted to say and hadn’t told anyone. Ethan was the only one who knew what I had chosen, and not because we could read each other’s thoughts. We still offered each other privacy, but Ethan, Liam, and I were equals. I wouldn’t make a big decision like this without the trust of one or both.

“I, and those I trust, have extensively reviewed your offers. I am honored by the opportunities you’ve presented,” I declared loudly, keeping my face and eyes neutral as they remained fixed on David. I straightened my shoulders and felt my voice take on a new tone. It sounded layered in a way it hadn’t been before, woven with authority and confidence that seemed too mature for my youthful years. “It is within my own interest to decline your three offers. I may not be familiar with our customs and ways, but I know that every life holds value. No white wolf, regardless of their status, should be forced to prove their right to live. By birthright, I am Luna to not one, but three packs. No one can deny me that title.”

The room fell into silence for a few seconds before erupting into chaos.

Words were shouted all around, slanders and praises. Some were cheering me on, telling me to destroy and rebuild the High Table.

Others called me a traitor b***h, among other colorful things.

Amidst all the commotion, I noticed something.

A small, delicate woman approached David Zoe. Her dark hair was long and straight, clinging to her head. She moved slowly, meekly toward him. She bent down as she whispered in his ear, and not once did her facial expression change as she listened to her words. What was worse, I swear I could sense just a flicker of carnal delight within his cold and stagnant heart.

The commotion continued, and David did nothing to stop it. My eyes landed on Sven, who was looking at David with a cautious expression on his face. David signaled to one of the guards and said three words that sent things spiraling. I couldn’t hear the words he spoke, but I could assume their meaning when the four guards surrounding Nicolas Zoe stepped forward and placed silver cuffs around his wrists.

Iopened my mouth, but no soun came out. Nicolas didn’t lash out or fight against his father’s men. His icy-covered eyes looked beyond me, toward the redhead with fiery hair and moss-colored eyes of agony

Most of the witnesses were blind to what was happening, caught up in – the frenzy of my action. Nicolas was dragged out of the room by the four guards who had been protecting him, the silver cuffs around his wrists the only indicator they had new orders.

“Now, let’s behave, shall we?” David Zoe said to the crowd, his smile full and renewed. He was ignorant of what had just occurred, even though few in the room had seen the truth. The golden-haired pair were two who had noticed what had just happened and looked at David with identical accusing stares. “We must respect Mrs. Sussan’s decision and apologize for her lack of manners within our system. I believe now might be the time to further discuss things and vote on the outcome of our future.”

The five members of the High Table then withdrew to a private room where they would continue discussing my right to live.

“What… I don’t understand.” Aly stuttered, taking a few steps toward the door through which they had dragged Nicolas.

“I understand you want to go after them, but you can’t.” I told her, gripping her shoulders firmly. “They don’t know who you are, they can’t know, and David doesn’t either. He’ll use you to get to Nicolas, he’ll use you to control him.”

“What do you think will happen to him?” she asked softly, a maelstrom of emotions swirling within her. Even rejected and angry, she couldn’t stop caring about him.

“I don’t know Aly,” I answered honestly, feeling my chest tighten as I made a promise, hoping I wouldn’t live to regret it. “If there’s anything we can do to help him, we will.”

Minutes blended into one another until almost half an hour had passed. All eyes were alert as the members of the High Table returned to their respective seats, with David at the helm.

When David stood up, there was a gleam in his eyes that seemed a bit smug. It sent a bitter feeling through me, letting me know that something was wrong.

“New information has recently come to light, which we have included in the decision of our final vote,” David began, his pale eyes flickering to where I stood at the stand. There was nothing but cold, cruel triumph in his eyes. “It is unknown to many that a band of traitorous white wolves escaped my borders recently. These wolves are powerful and dangerous, murderers of the worst kind. I have kept them alive merely as a tribute to their unique skills, as it would be a shame to end such incredible lives. As many of you know, I take pride in the security of my pack and its borders. Now I have evidence that these white wolves didn’t work alone. Sussan and those around her staged a coup to rescue these prisoners.

The room didn’t explode into chaos this time. There were no insults or- praises, no shouts about the pack sitting closer to you that their opinions and beliefs were wrong. There was only silence, and that thick feeling where you know everything’s about to go to hell.

David didn’t miss a beat. Sympathy gleamed in his eyes, and his voice deepened almost to a lament. This was the last thing he wanted to do, his tone suggested.

“I’ve thought long and hard about this. It’s not often in a member of the High Table’s life that such an important decision comes along, one that alters history. With all my confidence, I believe it’s best for Mrs.

Sussan to be placed under the custody of the High Table. Her abilities are simply too dangerous to unleash upon our fragile world. If she becomes a soul-devourer, the safest bet for those under our protection is for Sussan to remain under our wing. We cannot allow instability within our communities; it’s the poison that will bring down our castles and ultimately bring our species to an end,” David said aloud to the room. His calculating eyes were still fixed on mine as he said, “Guards, bring her to me.”